Saturday, July 25, 2015

Featured Guest - Karla Nathan

I have been following Karla's blog for years and years and years.
I finally had the privilege of meeting her in April.
See for yourself - she's delightful and oh, so talented!
 
Tell us something about yourself.
I think it is important to surround yourself
with things you love and things you love to do,
and to also spend time
with the people who are important in your life.
 
How did you find out about Whitworth Ranch Retreat?
Karen's Hillman's invitation. 

How many times have you been there?
 


Once, but that isn't enough.
 
Do you have a preference as to which room you sleep in?
The adorable Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs attic space
in the craft cottage.
Where do you prefer to get your craft on?
Large room, small room?
Do you have a favorite spot/table?
I only used the large room, and loved it.
Were you in a mixed group
or did you fill the house with your own friends?
A nice mix of old buddies,
family and new friends from that weekend.
If there is an opening for just one person,
are you open to attending a retreat
with women you’ve never met?
I think it would be a wonderful place
to meet like minded, creative people, so yes.

We all know that Stacy is an excellent chef.
Do you have a favorite meal?
 THE COOKIES! THE TARTS!
What do you do in your spare time
when you are not crafting or retreating?
Baking, gardening, playing with my grand fairies.
Are you a paper crafter, seamstress, quilter, knitter,
jewelry maker or trouble-maker?
No yarn or sewing skills at all,
but I really enjoy the rest, especially trouble.
What is your signature style?  Romantic Cottage
What are you working on right now?
I love creating coloring pages
and just finished a fairy tale one.
 

How would you describe your art
for the general public audience
if they have never seen it before?
Vintage pretties
 

What have you created that you are most proud of – and why?
I used to do more painting than I do now,
and had travelled doing murals for hotels,
day cares, casinos, etc.
Now, when I see a 20' mural I'd painted many years ago,
I'm pretty proud of my ladder/scaffolding climbing skills
and stamina for working that big. 
 

Has any of your work ever been published?
If so what and which publication?
I've done about 50 or so magazines,
from Romantic Homes, Better Homes Paint Decor
with paint techniques and home styling,
to Somerset crafting publications,
and most recently my own home was in Romantic Country,
Daphne's Diary, and Country Sampler Home Tours:  http://www.karlascottage.com/articles.htmTours: .
 


Do you have any crafting secrets you would like to share?
Always use the best materials you can.
Your time is worth the best.
Do not hoard your supplies.
 
What do you wish you were better at?
Time management 

If Ms. Muse decides not to show up,
where do you get your inspiration?
If I'm not feeling creative,
I love a walk through an antique mall or flea market.
Some little tidbit will usually inspire a new creation.

How do you stay inspired?
Spending time with creative friends, online or in person.

How does your creative process work?
I usually start with a day dream while driving
or doing something uninteresting.

Do you have a dedicated craft area in your home?
My studio is in an addition to our 100 year old farmhouse.

 
Tell us all about your studio.
What have you done to make your space cozy
or beautiful or inspiring?
I've found furnishings at garage sales,
painted them mostly white,
and try to make sure each s a functional piece to hold jars,
boxes, and stack of my supplies.

 

How do you keep your area organized?
If I didn't invite guests on a regular basis,
it would be hard for me to keep it presentable.
I tend to keep working and working
without cleaning up,
until I have about a 6" square of desk space left to create in.
Hosting swaps where I need multiple tables
devoted to sorting other artists work,
also makes me stay focussed and organized.
It is important for me to have a reason
to stop and clean up,
instead of piling up more and more things
as I keeping working on one project after another.
 


How many hours a week do you spend in your happy place?
As many as I can!
 


 What would the walls in your craft space say?
Oh no, she is squeezing in more stuff?
My walls are aching already!!!
We don't have room for another table full of junk!!
  


If you could add just one tool to your craft arsenal,
what would you add?
I just bought a good paper cutter
and it has made me pretty happy.
 


What is your favorite “must have” item for crafting.
something that you just cannot be separated from?
The Ultimate Glue
 


What is the most useless item
that you have purchased to craft?
Glue sticks - after a few years, the glue falls apart.
 


Do you keep any of your own creations on display?
I often create things just for certain spots on my walls.
Then, of course,
there are the things that I never got around to trying to sell,
or the things that no one bought when I did try.
Isn't there a quote about art starting out as a creative problem
and soon becomes a storage problem?
 


What are your tricks for organizing your supplies?
Either I label the drawers and boxes,
or keep things where I can see them.
Out of sight, out of mind, I lose what I can't see.


Finish this sentence:  When I am in my creative space, I
lose track of time and get in trouble for making dinner late.
 


I am going to grant you three wishes
to make your area into your dream space.
What are your three wishes?
I have my dream space!!
 


What are your favorite products
to create with at this moment?
Art Journals and coloring pages
 


How long does it typically take you to finish a project?
I'm very, very quick.
 


Are you a neat or a messy crafter?
Pretty neat with the work, but my area messes up fast.
 


It’s time to go shopping.
Does most of your money go to Hobby Lobby,
Joann’s, Michael’s,
conventions or a local scrapbook store?
Or are you an on-line shopper?
I love garage sales, antique stores
and flea markets!
 

Are you an impulse craft supplies shopper?  Rarely
 


Do you have any personal goals you have not yet attained?
If so, what are you doing to fulfill these goals?
I'm not a goal oriented person.
 


Tell me that one thing
that you have not yet done that you really want to do.
I'm usually pretty happy in the moment.
 


If you were given $1000 to spend
on craft supplies/tools what would you purchase?
I'd have a heart attack if I tried to spend that much
on craft supplies.
Maybe I'd spend it on a retreat
and pay for my sisters to come with me.
 
Do you spend hours and hours looking at blogs?
Do you have a blog?
I'd love for you to visit my blog
and my website
and my Etsy shoppe.
 
Do you own your own business?
If so, tell me all about it.
I keep a blog, and sell hand made things
and supplies to make your own art.
I also teach classes and adore making kits.
When I do a class,
I always make plenty of extra kits to sell afterwards
because pulling together the ingredients
and writing the instructions
are very enjoyable for me.
 
Thank you, Karla, for your allowing us to get to know you more.
 
Remember one thing:  You Matter.